Slobodan Milosevic's Lawyer Files Appeal To Supreme Court Of Yugoslavia

Toma Fila, the lawyer of the ex-President of Yugoslavia -- has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of the country against the Belgrade district court's decision to extend the time of Slobodan Milosevic's stay in prison by two months. The reply is expected on Monday or Tuesday. In the appeal against the district court's decision the lawyer demands that his client be released from custody and be ensured a course of medical treatment at home in connection with the poor condition of his health. Toma Fila points out that from the moment of Milosevic's arrest on April 1 this year, the investigation had not made any progress, i.e., no proof has been produced on his client's guilt, who is suspected of financial machinations. To substantiate his demand to release Slobodan Milosevic from custody and ensure his treatment at home the lawyer referred to the opinion of the ex-president's personal doctor who considers his condition to be unsatisfactory. He is particularly concerned about Milosevic's high blood pressure which, despite the double dose of medication, does not drop below 160 over 110, and sometimes rises to 200 over 120, which is dangerous for his life. The representatives of the Socialist Party of Serbia described Slobodan Milosevic's condition as "grave and dangerous" at a press-conference on Thursday. Chairman of the Party's committee for international relations Vladimir Krsljanin declared in this connection that the international committee for the defence of Slobodan Milosevic had signed a petition demanding the "immediate release of the former President of Yugoslavia and other patriots, and that he be provided with in-patient medical assistance by physicians at his choice."